§ 5. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that certain workers in an aircraft factory which had been declared a protected place, were prosecuted on 26th May for distributing literature in the factory which entailed dismissal upon the grounds of serious misconduct; and whether the customary right of the workers to distribute literature and to hold meetings will be preserved in such protected places in future?
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair)Yes, Sir. The Directions which my hon. Friend has in mind are of common application to all factories which are protected places, and they have been made in the interests of war production. They prohibit the distribution of literature with certain exceptions, such as works notices, works magazines, trade union journals and publications and Government publications. They also prohibit the holding of meetings in protected places without permission.
§ Mr. AdamsIs it a matter of serious urgency to stop the old privileges of the workmen to have a meeting and distribute their own literature relating to shops stewards?
§ Sir A. SinclairThese orders have long been in operation. They are in the interests of war production, and they have never been challenged.